The Department of Communications and the Arts has received a green light for a National Performing Arts Partnership (NPAP) Framework to support Australia’s performing arts sector.
The Framework has received the agreement of all States and Territories.
Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, Paul Fletcher said the joint agreement was a milestone achievement in the delivery of sustainable arts funding, replacing the previous Major Performing Arts Framework.
“The new Framework incorporates the key outcomes of the nationwide public consultation process in 2018, which included 8,026 survey responses, 370 formal submissions and 15 forums across the country,” Mr Fletcher said.
“We listened to feedback from the arts sector and the public on the previous Major Performing Arts Framework in developing this new Framework, which provides a flexible and transparent approach to supporting Australia’s leading performing arts companies.”
He said the new Framework also opened the way for other successful and innovative companies to be considered for support.
He said companies funded under the new Framework, which will be known as Partnership Organisations, will benefit from the stability of up to eight years of funding.
Among provisions in the new Framework are a clear approach to prioritising outcomes for the Australian performing arts sector, audiences and communities; a pathway to expand the number of funded companies through a two-stage invitation and assessment process; and the stability of funding balanced with flexibility so Governments can jointly respond to changing priorities.